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Philip Hammond delivered a commanding speech that delighted his Tory backbenchers. Mr Hammond should have been aware that penalising small businesses is a Gerald Ratner moment – the trashing of his own Tory brand. He was not just complacent about the reception, it was a surprisingly lackadaisical Budget that barely referred to Brexit. In a stroke he undermined the Conservatives’ reputation for being the party of White Van drivers and small shopkeepers. Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid EmailThere is an unwritten rule that the worst Budgets get the warmest receptions.

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Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid EmailTory undertaker Philip Hammond buried hope and decency in a miserable Budget . Spin, propaganda and dry as dust Hammond’s plastic grin won’t hide the grim grind of Tory failure. Spiteful proposals littered his Budget, with free buses to selective schools only a nasty dig at kids going to excellent local schools. International Women’s Day is a reminder our fairness-preaching Prime Minister misunderstood the Suffragettes when Theresa May values words not deeds. Nor does Hammond deserve a single cheer from pubs and shops when it was his Treasury threatening to rate them out of business.

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Philip Hammond uses Budget to bring in raft of ‘fair’ tax rises – including £145m National Insurance raid on the self-employed – while insisting ‘resilient’ economy is Brexit-ready

Mr Hammond explained: “As we prepare for our future outside the EU, we cannot rest on our past achievements. Responding to the statement the Labour leader claimed Mr Hammond failed to understand the realities of daily life for millions of people and the “crisis” facing public services. He received a tweet wishing him good luck from his predecessor this morning, but Mr Hammond ripped up Mr Osborne’s 2015 Tory manifesto commitment not to raise taxes with a controversial rise in National Insurance payments. Mr Corbyn said: “Over the coming years the schools budget is being cut by 8%. Budget Day 2017: Chancellor Philip Hammond leaves Downing Street with red boxEPA 14 Mr Hammond proudly displayed the red box with his Treasury team outside No11Getty Images 14 The Chancellor has left No11 as he heads to Parliament to deliver his Budget speech